#msv monarch

[inquartata30]

Datapad Log: Captain Abel Pratt

Ramos is our first death. He tried to throw one of the spheres overboard, and something happened. Kunshan and maybe three or four others started beating him like madmen. I wish I was quick enough to save him.

They showed no remorse, not even comprehension. It’s clear I am no longer in control.

I held a funeral to keep order—the crew would have been at his body like wild dogs. We compromised: he will be tethered in the water to attract scavenging animals that we will catch for food. If he doesn’t get a bite within three of this planet’s days, we cut him loose as a water burial.

We’ve sealed the Tritons off. They're dangerous, especially given the crew’s mental state.

My kingdom for a shark.

MSV Monarch

4 / 5

[inquartata30]

Datapad Log: Encarna Camacho

The captain gets it now. He tried to lock himself in the ship, screaming that he had to fix it.

We were gentle. One person for each limb. We let him rest on the sphere. Sometime in the middle of the night, he came around, and now he agrees. We won’t leave. Why would we?

I think this will be my last entry. Everyone here understands me. If anyone finds us, they might feel differently, but that can be fixed in time.

It’s so good not being hungry anymore.

MSV Monarch

5 / 5

[inquartata30]

Datapad Log: Dr. Chai Lin

The rations will hold us two days more. Brooks sent a drone to the bottom, and it came up with bioluminescent plant life. None of it is edible. I warned the crew not to eat it before my tests were done, but Romero and Molins tried it anyway. They haven’t stopped vomiting, and their dehydration wastes fresh water.

We sent Kunshan’s team on a raft over to the wrecks. They came back with spheres—some kind of organic-based alien technology—and nothing to eat. I want to believe they’ll give us some answers, but if they had helped the other ships figure out what happened, they wouldn’t be here, now would they?

It’s getting cold.

MSV Monarch

3 / 5

[inquartata30]

Datapad Log: Shen Kunshan

Attempts to get airborne have failed every time. The damage done by the pulses, if you could call it damage, doesn’t make physical sense. The connections aren’t fried, but the Monarch’s thrusters disengage. The distress beacon is likewise dead, but most of our electronics are still functioning. It doesn’t seem to be a result of shielding.

Without a distress beacon, we’ve got no chance. I hear bad things about ration supplies, and I think that’s why the captain ordered us to collect rainwater and set up tents on the deck. It keeps us busy. Brooks has been talking about using the Triton’s weapons to try blast-fishing. I agree, but I haven’t seen anything that looks like a fish.

I wish I were an optimist.

MSV Monarch

2 / 5

[inquartata30]

Datapad Log: Atton Brooks

The hull will hold—that’s what they say. Whatever god watches over eezo prospectors came through for us. Despite a hell of a smack in the water landing, the MSV Monarch displaces enough air to stay afloat. We’re all thankful we’re alive. Captain Pratt even ordered the champagne broken out. Helps perspective, I guess.

The big puzzle? What downed us in the first place. Kunshan says it wasn't lightning; it was some kind of pulse. A directed-energy weapon seems likely, but where would it have come from? There’s no radio traffic. The whole bloody ocean is silent.

Tonight the techs are going to try rerouting the power to get a good mass drop before getting the thrusters firing. If all goes well, we’ll be airborne in 24 hours.

MSV Monarch

1 / 5